Where do I start with my book of shadows?

Discussion of ritual tools and other items used in the Craft.
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Dr_Sir
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Where do I start with my book of shadows?

Post by Dr_Sir »

So today bought a 96 page A4 journal for my first book of shadows....now what do I actually put in it?

anything?

everything?

both?

I have no idea XD
missionaries dismiss me for my single epiphany
The diff between him and me is a simple sip of British Tea!
So when times are hard and life is rough,
You can stick the kettle on and find me a cup
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Heartsong
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Re: Where do I start with my book of shadows?

Post by Heartsong »

A lot of people simply use it for spells and rituals, others use it more as a journal or even a scrapbook of sorts, recording thoughts, snippets of lyrics, pictures, etc. It's a very personal and individualized thing, so put whatever you feel like you want or need to put in it. :)
Dance like the Maiden
Laugh like the Mother
Think like the Crone
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Becks
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Re: Where do I start with my book of shadows?

Post by Becks »

Heartsong is absolutely correct.

You've mentioned that you're not even sure what you're exploring, and so maybe you simply want to start out journaling? Books you read, thoughts you have, lists of interesting topics for inquiry at a later date....experiences you have...

I have places I keep ideas, plant and animal observations and correspondences, experiences and impressions, my practice tarot readings.

As she said....anything that speaks to you.
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TwilightDancer
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Re: Where do I start with my book of shadows?

Post by TwilightDancer »

As others have said, It's entirely up to you what you put in your book.

In mine, I have:
-Spells
-Chants
-Recipes
-Notes on various herbs
-Notes on candle-making
-Notes on oil making
-Dream recollection
-Divination, notes on scrying and pendulums
-My personal journal
And so much more

The first few pages I've written down my personal beliefs as an eclectic witch and what I am hoping to achieve in my journey.

I have a terrible memory so I have a habit of writing absolutely everything down. :lol:

Hope this helps. :flyingwitch:
Lady stir your cauldron well, chant your words and sing your spell
Come and taste of the cauldron's brew and magic she will give to you

TwilightDancer's Book of Shadows
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YanaKhan
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Re: Where do I start with my book of shadows?

Post by YanaKhan »

I have a BoS where I keep my spells, herb information, potion recipes, talisman magick info, different magickal alphabets info and things like that. It's quite well organized with different sections for the different things and an index on the back.

Apart from that, I have like 5 - 6 Books of Mirrors where I journal my experiences, experiments and thoughts on magick and spirituality. I tend to only put in my BoS things I think "Deserve" to be there :D It's just my thing, though. I guess I'm influenced by the movie idea of a BoS where such books don't have scratching and bad drawings all over and side notes on every page with bad handwriting :)

Still, like the others said, you decide what to put in your BoS.
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Dr_Sir
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Re: Where do I start with my book of shadows?

Post by Dr_Sir »

Thank you all! I'll probably start with basic symbols and possibly the elder farnark. I'll read up on spells but I'm not going to do anything with them for a long time. best get in tune with myself before trying to practice magic

looks like I'll be using a book of mirrors for a while
missionaries dismiss me for my single epiphany
The diff between him and me is a simple sip of British Tea!
So when times are hard and life is rough,
You can stick the kettle on and find me a cup
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blue_moon
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Re: Where do I start with my book of shadows?

Post by blue_moon »

Everything was said more or less.

I also keep 3

one to journal spells: when where what i used - what happened.

One with recipes using plants and herbs, essential oils. Medicine and health. Reiki

(Oh i have 4)
A little notebook that i keep with my tarot and runes. I write down when i use them and what card/rune i get + meaning

And my bos - i started mine from bouth sides. One side starts with spells on toppics that interest me: protection, healing, abundance, peace. I also note techniques here like knot magick, candle, tree and ribbon magick; herbs and gems

Analogie (elements, planets) and symbolism in the middle and witches basics beginning from the other side of the book.
Moon magick, rule of 3, sabbaths and dieties

It took me a long long time till i finally wrote it because i didn't know what was important to me.
But i can tell ya! If you have the information that you gathered in one place it's so much easier to do your research (you'll take notes what to look into ;) )and to use what you know (i know the colours but still I'll have to check my list occasionally because i hardly work with colour as a symbol. I choose it by feeling most of the time).
BB

Blue Moon
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Re: Where do I start with my book of shadows?

Post by Emerald_Tigerdeer »

My Book of Shadows is more of a scrapbook type thing. I used to have a fancy leather journal, but found it too archaic for my taste. The one I have now is actually a pink binder full of lined paper that I've divided up into different sections. I have a section devoted to my thoughts and the basics of Wicca as well as my own beliefs, candle making and spells, herbology, dream interpretation and psychic abilities/symbolism, etc, etc. I put recipes and song lyrics, pressed flowers and leafs, journal entries, prayers and chants in it. I'm hoping to pass it on to my future children one day :)
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Ethereal Moon Rose
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Re: Where do I start with my book of shadows?

Post by Ethereal Moon Rose »

My BOS is very informal in that I use it for brainstorming ideas for spells and then for writing out the spells. It's not very organized or neat haha. I have all the correspondences ect on my phone for quick and easy reference. I do want to get a nice leather bound one eventually to put everything into.
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Re: Where do I start with my book of shadows?

Post by Seraphin »

I remember my first ever notebook of shadows, I made it sure to keep a careful balance between personal and relevant. Rather than being a diary of what I did, or what hocus pocus I just performed, or what pagan event I went to, I really wanted it to be useful. I wanted entries that serves a timeless purpose -- recipes with beautiful photos (taken online and personal pictures) that you could incorporate in your offerings or meals in feasts, tips on cleansing home, advice from experts or people I value, tried-and-tested products that could really be of use devotionally and magickally, all of which I add a personal spin to.

And not everything is about magick. There are articles on my leisure escapes, even on some emotional matters. I really want my book of shadows to be a celebration of my life as a pagan, and the people and things that help make it better.

Having this in mind, I carefully craft and edit my material so that every time I open it or revisit my entries, I would leave feeling uplifted. What I wanted really is a book where I could make life more magickal -- whether trying a new yoga pose to relieve backache, or cooking a new recipe for my God Hermes, or just getting inspired by a phrase or quote, or chanelled message I got from a Daemon or maybe a personality I featured.
Seraphin

If you have any questions, please feel free to PM me.
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MsMollimizz
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Re: Where do I start with my book of shadows?

Post by MsMollimizz »


I myself like those three-ring zip up binders.
One has spells, elemental spells and info...
another has correspondence: this color
for that, candle colors...
I found at the dollar tree a zippered pouch
for three-ring binders so they can hold more
papers. Ten or twelve of those...
metaphysical meanings for stones and gems
has it's own binder !
But then I found this wooden BOS cover
(front and back), only front decorated by
being burnt in. This one was $50, I couldn't
believe it...had to snatch one up for myself !
I think it will be reserved for spells and stuff
that I know works...?
She does an awesome tree of life one !!!
Gentle Light
MsMollimizz
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wooden BOS cover Pentagram design
wooden BOS cover Pentagram design
Until one has loved an animal,
part of their soul remains un-awakened.

"The greatest enemy of knowledge is not ignorance,
it is the illusion of knowledge." Steven Hawkings
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Dr_Sir
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Re: Where do I start with my book of shadows?

Post by Dr_Sir »

MsMollimizz wrote:
I myself like those three-ring zip up binders.
One has spells, elemental spells and info...
another has correspondence: this color
for that, candle colors...
I found at the dollar tree a zippered pouch
for three-ring binders so they can hold more
papers. Ten or twelve of those...
metaphysical meanings for stones and gems
has it's own binder !
But then I found this wooden BOS cover
(front and back), only front decorated by
being burnt in. This one was $50, I couldn't
believe it...had to snatch one up for myself !
I think it will be reserved for spells and stuff
that I know works...?
She does an awesome tree of life one !!!
Gentle Light
MsMollimizz
That's so COOL! Thankyou!
missionaries dismiss me for my single epiphany
The diff between him and me is a simple sip of British Tea!
So when times are hard and life is rough,
You can stick the kettle on and find me a cup
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MsMollimizz
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Re: Where do I start with my book of shadows?

Post by MsMollimizz »


Most times I have lots of patience...except for:
House-breaking a dog, could you imagine me with a kid ???
Waiting on people
Waiting for packages to come in mail...
Waiting for this one was hard !
When ordered she starts making it !
Each one is slightly different, it comes signed and numbered
with a cert of authenticity ! Which I thought was cool even
tho I doubt someone would sell it with that...!
I don't have any of my own kids and his kids wouldn't want
it ! I'd have to find someone else to leave it with; not that
I see my end coming anytime soon !
I really like her work ! You should take a look, if only
to get some ideas ?!?
https://www.etsy.com/shop/Gaeamoon
Gentle Light
MsMollimizz

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the first one I considered
the first one I considered
Until one has loved an animal,
part of their soul remains un-awakened.

"The greatest enemy of knowledge is not ignorance,
it is the illusion of knowledge." Steven Hawkings
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WiccanWitch
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Re: Where do I start with my book of shadows?

Post by WiccanWitch »

So far mine has just been thoughts as I have finally given a name to the path I was searching for a long time. I knew as I sat in church it just wasn't me. It didn't fit. As I've read and talked more to witches and about various forms of paganism I realized what it was I kept feeling.

So it is a new journey for me and I have a lot of thoughts and feelings to record about it all. It may become a scrap book in which case I will need to upgrade my book.

Also explains my affinity for cats... ;)
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YanaKhan
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Re: Where do I start with my book of shadows?

Post by YanaKhan »

Hello, WiccanWitch,
Please go to the top section of the forum and introduce yourself. Thank you!
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